AS OF DAY 39 THIS IS WHERE JEFF IS AND FINALLY HEADING SOUTH EAST
Total miles sailed so far=5,245 nm.(in miles-6,035)
Miles covered last three days=362 nm.(in miles-(416)
Day-37.
24 hr.Run: 120 nm. Pos. lat.33*06’N Long.125*37’W.
Weather: Winds 7-12 kts. Southerly. Seas=3-5 ft. Southerly.Speed=5.6 kts
Course=118*T. cabin Temp at 7 am=62*n Bar.=1016 mb.Up 2-mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Once again I’m plagued by the center of the high that has moved in close to Sailors Run bringing light air with it. It would appear that in 24-more hours I will be in nice trade winds bombing down the coast of the Baja.
The Pacific High that has been very illusive is intensifying and starting to look like the Pacific high that provides nice winds along the coast of California and Mexico this time of year.
Since there is little to write about aboard Sailors Run I will share some information with you about this route from the Marshall’s to Mexico. The route is not to bad with one exception. The NW corner of the route near 170*E and 35*N can be challenging as well as dangerous. Having sailed it my recommendation is to try and stay below 34* North. The reason being is the lows that form by Russia in the Bearing Sea tend to move down into that area and intensify. They produce Hurricane force winds then seem to move off to the NE, but occasionally move due East as one such storm did to me and the conditions were miserable with winds exceeding 50-kts and seas up to 35-feet. Once east of the 155* West Longitude these lows seemed not to go there at least not this season March to April. The good thing about coming over the high in March-April is it is less developed and easier to sail through as it comes and goes.
I believe I have reached the bottom of water tank #1, meaning I still have 75- gallons of water left for the remainder of the voyage and that is more than enough.
El Jefe’ singing “How dry I am”.
Day-38.
24 hr.Run: 96 nm. Pos. Lat. 32*25′ N. Long.123*57’N.
Weather: Wind:0-10 kts. S. then W. and at last NW. Seas: 2-4 feet NW.
Temp at 7 am=66* Bar=1023 mb. up 7 mb.
The Rest of the Story:
It was about noon when I splashed up the diesel in dying winds and a rising barometer. What was happening is I was being caught in to close to the center of the Pacific High that was intensifying.
I know the winds I need to propel me down the coast lay just to the east of me and the surest way to get there was turning on the motor, something I dislike very much. My boat speed had dropped down to under 2-knots and was still going down leaving me little choice. I putted along at just under 4-kts. at 1400 R.P.M.
It wasn’t until near the end of this day, that the winds at last returned filling in from the NW.
Now I find myself at the same Latitude or slightly south of San Diego about 350 NM. off shore, and looking very much forward to a good romp down the coast to Cabo San Lucas, before turning east for Mazatlan.
It’s all just part of getting there. El Jefe’
Day-39.
24 hr.Run: 146 nm. Pos. lat.31*20′ N. Long.121*24′ W.
Weather: Wind=10-18 kts N. Seas= 4-6 feet N. Speed= 6.2 kts
Course 112*T Cabin temp at 7-am=64*. Bar.=1020 mb. down 3 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
This am I’m some what shocked to hear the San Diego Coast Guard issuing a security warning. There is a gale rapidly moving into the area that may produce winds of up to 47-knots. They recommend all small vessels seek shelter as well as people that have little experience with these types of conditions.
It is funny how an announcement like that can effect you. Even though the system is 10 hours out you feel like reefing even though you are only sailing at 6-knots.
I have learned a long time ago to never underestimate what might actually develop and make a plan where you go from one step to the other reducing sail and strain on your rig early rather than later.
Currently it appears that we will pass east of Guadalupe Island putting us closer to the Baha Coast on the way down.
It is amazing now when I look at my AIS it and shows 50-targets yet only 4 of them come anywhere near me. Possibly many are at anchor in San Diego or Ensenada.
My dinner last night was a can of tuna, oh,well so much for the Jefe’ being the gourmet cook. Actually it’s the rum that pulls it all together.
Starting to feel the confines of civilization once again. El Jefe’.